Dad fears 'tragic event' at school could be caused by 'dangerous' parking

A concerned dad fears a “tragic event is just a matter of time” as pavement parking persists outside a Woolton primary school.

Concerns have been raised about the safety of youngsters travelling to and from Much Woolton Primary School in the aftermath of shocking scenes in Everton where a car ploughed into the wall of Beacon CE School just moments before pupils were due to arrive. In a bid to deter errant motorists, Liverpool Council installed an automatic number plate recognition camera near to the school earlier this year.

Despite this, a worried parent fears it may not be enough to keep children safe.

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As part of its school streets initiative and additional powers awarded to the local authority, a camera was installed to dissuade motorists from pavement parking and moving traffic offences along Watergate Lane from Woodrock Road and Watergate Way from Priorsfield Road. Despite this, concerns persist among some taking their children to school.

One dad told the ECHO: “The school and residents have for a long time complained to Liverpool Council about the dangerous situation for children, while going to and from school. Parents drive and park along and on to the pavements, as children have to negotiate around parents SUV type vehicles.

“Over the years children have even had to walk on the roadway to get past vehicles parked on the pavement. Near misses occur weekly, and we feel that a tragic event is just a matter of time.”

On its website, Much Woolton advises parents that “parking in and around our school is at a premium and all drivers are asked to approach and park in or near school with care and consideration to pedestrians and residents.”

At morning drop off and afternoon pick up, families are asked to park well away from school and “spend a few extra minutes walking with their children. This would be a good opportunity for children to talk about their day and to exercise.”

The advice added: “All families and informal visitors to school are asked to park with great care and consideration of our residents on the streets near our school. Cars should not be parked near the school entrance, on double yellow lines, zig-zag lines, H markings or within 10 metres of a junction and certainly not blocking the road or access to residential properties.”

The concerned dad said additional efforts to prevent “selfish” pavement parking – including the closure of three streets around the school almost two years ago – had been ignored. In 2022, Matthew White, headteacher at Much Woolton, criticised those who he felt had been “flouting” the pavement parking ban, claiming it had reflected badly on the community.

The parent said: “The main dangerous area is along the length of Watergate Way. I have a small child who attends Much Woolton and I see SUV type vehicles every day, similar to the one that drove into the Beacon Church School.

“I see selfish parents speeding along Watergate Way and throwing their powerful vehicles up onto the pavement and driving along the pavement as children walk to school. These SUV vehicles are powerful enough to destroy a brick wall and enter the school itself.

“Imagine the tragedy if reception children would have been present in that class.”

A 39-year-old woman from Walton was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and careless driving following the incident in Everton and taken to a police station for questioning. She has since been released under investigation.

The ECHO contacted Liverpool Council for comment

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